Pictures at an Exhibition

Alexei Ratmansky (b. 1968) is a world-renowned choreographer known for his groundbreaking work in both classical and contemporary ballet. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ratmansky trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School and later became the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet. His choreographic style blends technical virtuosity with a deep understanding of storytelling, earning him acclaim for works that push the boundaries of ballet while honoring its rich tradition.

Ratmansky’s repertoire spans from full-length ballets to innovative short pieces, with notable works created for major companies like New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Danish Ballet, and the Mariinsky Ballet. Recognized globally for his artistry, Ratmansky’s work continues to inspire dancers and audiences alike, cementing his legacy as one of ballet’s most influential voices.

Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881) was a trailblazer of Russian classical music, Modest Mussorgsky was a key member of The Russian Five, dedicated to creating a uniquely Russian sound. Best known for his opera Boris Godunov and the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition, his music is bold, emotional, and deeply expressive.

Originally trained for a military career, Mussorgsky left the army to pursue his passion for composition. He crafted powerful works like The Nursery and Songs and Dances of Death, capturing vivid storytelling through music. At his passing, he was working on Khovanshchina, later completed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His legacy endures through his groundbreaking, deeply evocative music.

Adeline Andre is a French Designer born in 1981. Adeline worked as an assistant to creative director Marc Bohan at Christian Dior in 1970. Her style is known for being minimalistic. She went on to open her own Fashion Couture House, where she created her most famous fashion innovation the “three-hold garment.”

It is still showcased in collections in Paris, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Fashion and Design Museum in Lisbon. In the 90s André became an invited member of the Syndicate Chamber of Parisian Haute Couture. 

Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a Russian painter, art theorist, and pioneer of abstract art. Kandinsky saw art as an expression of deep emotion, transcending the physical world, and conveyed this idea through his use of color and form. 

Ratmansky chose Kandinsky’s Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles (1913) as the backdrop for Pictures at an Exhibition. In Concentric Circles, Kandinsky explores the interplay of form and color, creating a visual rhythm that mirrors the ballet’s emotional contrasts. The circle, a recurring motif in his work, represents both harmony and tension. 

Tony Award-winning projection designer Wendell K. Harrington brings Kandinsky’s work to life by enlarging and breaking down the painting into individual shapes and brushstrokes, letting the artwork flow and breathe with the choreography. 

Choreography
Alexei Ratmansky

Music
Modest Mussorgsky

Costumes
Adeline Andre

Lighting
Mark Stanley

Projection Design
Wendall K. Harrington